§ Lord Denningasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the prolonged dispute between the local authorities and the inhabitants of Huntingdon over the future of Spring Common, the Charity Commissioners should institute an inquiry under Section 6 of the Charities Act 1960 with regard to the charity known as the Freemen and Widows of Freemen of Huntingdon and its assets, with particular reference to the failure to register it as a charity under the Commons Registration Act 1965 and to appoint one of Her Majesty's Counsel to conduct the inquiry.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers):The institution of an inquiry under Section 6 of the Charities Act 1960 and appointment of persons to conduct the inquiry are matters for the Charity Commissioners, and not for the Government. I understand, however, that the commissioners are not aware of any grounds upon which they should institute an inquiry into the charity known as Huntingdon Commons for Freemen and Freemen's Widows.